John Amundson, 1864-1908

AMUNDSON, COLLINS, GILBERTSEN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 9/8/2010 at 23:22:43

The City Mourns
John Amundson Died Last Thursday Morning at Six o’Clock
Leaves Wife and One Child
The Funeral Was One of the Largest Ever Held in Estherville – Floral Offerings Were Beautiful

John Amundson, clerk of Emmet county District Court, died at his home in this city Thursday morning at six o’clock after an illness of a number of weeks. His death was due to a complication of diseases. The funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon, Rev. Edward Campbell officiating. The church was filled to its utmost capacity by friends of the deceased and the floral offerings were beautiful. The Masonic, Elks and K of P lodges accompanied the remains to Oak Hill cemetery where the burial was made, the Masonic lodge having charge of the services at the grave.

John Amundson was born in Christiaun, Norway, February 11, 1864. He came to America with his parents when two years of age. The family resided in Decorah until 1869, when they came to Emmet county, where they have since lived. On May 24, 1899, he was married to Winnifred Collins of Livermore. One child, Rachel Grace, was born to them.

He was elected clerk of the District Court in 1898, taking the office January 1, 1899. Since first elected he has continuously held the office, and at the June primaries was again chosen by the republican party in this county as their candidate for clerk. The democrats recognized his strength and conceded his election by not nominating a candidate to oppose him in the general election. He was, therefore, again chosen for the office at the last election held this month during his illness. His popularity with the voters of the county was very noticeable at each succeeding election.

John Amundson was one of the very leading citizens of Emmet county. As a public official he met all the requirements of the law, was most courteous and considerate to all having business in the clerk’s office, and in every way filled the office with credit and distinction. In his private affairs he was most successful, and when death called him was just getting his matters to such a condition that fortune seemed to be smiling on him. Although in only moderate circumstances he was laying the foundation for a bright future in a business way. He had the ability and the purpose. But Mr. Amundson was something more than a successful office holder and business man. He was a model citizen. His ideals were high. No better husband or father could be found anywhere. He was charitable, sympathetic and honorable in his dealings, ever faithful to a friend and open and frank at all times.

Estherville and Emmet county mourns the loss of this worthy son. Every citizen grieves and sympathizes with Mrs. Amundson and her daughter, Grace, three sisters and two brothers and other relatives. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, November 25, 1908)

An Untimely Death
John Amundson Passed Away Thursday After Lingering Illness
Prominent in the County
His Death is a Sad One – Just in the Prime of Life – Funeral Sunday Afternoon

John Amundson died at his home on south Eighth street in this city at 6:25 Thursday morning, November 19th, after an illness of several weeks of typhoid fever and other complications. While his death came not wholly unexpected, it was a great shock to the people of Estherville and Emmet county. Four weeks ago he was taken down with typhoid fever and after two weeks had passed and he constantly grew weaker, little hope was entertained of his recovery. Several times it was thought he could not possibly live through the day but he fought hard to live and for ten days before his death only his strong determination kept him alive, but at last he was compelled to give up the struggle.

John Amundson was a pioneer resident of Emmet county, coming here with his parents in 1869 and locating in Swan Lake township. He was born February 11, 1864, at Christiana, Norway, making him 44 years, 9 months and 8 days of age at the time of his death. He came to this country with his parents when two years of age. The family located first in Allamakee county, this state, where they remained three years. He had lived continuously in Emmet county since his arrival here in 1869. In 1898 he was elected clerk of the district court of this county and had served ten years in that capacity, being elected at the November elections for his sixth term which would not expire until January 1911. In 1899 he was married to Miss Winnefred Collins, of Livermore, Iowa, and to this union one child was born, Rachel Grace, now three years of age.

Few men in Emmet county had more true friends than John Amundson. He was a man of generous impulses and never forgot the hospitable ways taught him in childhood. The stranger, even though a beggar, never failed to find food if he sought it at his hands. He had filled the various relations of life as husband, father, brother and friend, and filled them well. Who can do more? But he is gone. No one in Estherville will be missed more than John Amundson. He had been prominent in Estherville business affairs for twelve years. Three sisters and two brothers are left to mourn his untimely death, one brother, Dr. O.C. Amundsen, preceding him in death only a few days.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon in the Presbyterian church in charge of the Masonic order and his remains followed to their last resting place by a large concourse of sympathizing friends. He was also a member of the Elks, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen. In the last named order he carried a life insurance policy for $2000. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, November 25, 1908)

John Amundson Dies of Fever
After an Illness of Over Four Weeks John Amundson Passed to His Reward Early Thursday Morning
Was Clerk of Courts
Immense Concourse of People at Funeral to Pay Respects to the Departed

John Amundson, Emmet county’s efficient clerk of courts, died of typhoid fever at six o’clock Thursday morning, November 19th after a brave struggle against the disease for over four weeks. Funeral was held from the Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon at two o’clock, which was one of the most largely attended of any ever held in the city. It was in charge of North Star lodge No. 447 A.F. and A.M. assisted by the Eastern Star, Elks and Knights of Pythian lodges. There was also an escort of twelve Knights Templar in full uniform. The floral offerings were many and very beautiful. Rev. Campbell of the Presbyterian church, delivered a most consoling sermon.

The pall bearers were: R. J. Ridley, Frank Shadle, A. C. Brown, John Hanson, Geo. Lyons, J. W. Morse, L. R. Woods, J. H. Griffith.

Deceased was stricken down in the prime of manhood, being only forty-five years of age. He had lived in this county since boyhood and had just been re-elected to the fifth term as clerk of the district court. Previous to this time he had been serving the county he had lived on a farm in Swan Lake township. He was born in Christiania, Norway, but came to this country when young and has lived in this country ever since. He was one of Estherville’s best citizens, unassuming, kind and public spirited. He was a member of four Masonic bodies in the city, including the Eastern Star, of the Knights of Pythian and Elks lodge and was held in the highest esteem by all, as was evidenced by the unusually large lodge attendance at the funeral. Aside from the attendance by the fraternal societies there were a great many at the funeral from all over the county, he being well and favorably known in nearly every township.

About ten years ago Mr. Amundson was married to Miss Winifred Collins, and from this union a daughter was born, both of whom survive him. There also remain to mourn his death, three sisters, Miss Bessie and Mrs. Gilillian (?) of Minneapolis, Mrs. Gilbertsen of Swan Lake, township and two brothers, Henry of Bancroft and Ammon J. of Maple Hill, Emmet county. His parents died a few years ago and a brother, Dr. O.C. Amundson of Vinita, Oklahoma, died three weeks ago of typhoid fever and was brought here for burial. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, November 25, 1908)